I was thinking to myself today, “I REALLY miss watching all my kiddos at Herald Church go crazy trying to find Easter eggs!” I hadn’t thought about it in a while, but it’s been 7 years since I’ve gotten to be home for Palm Sunday or Easter Sunday! That’s just crazy to think about. And, as random as that thought was, it got me thinking about the Body of Christ.
Being in a traveling singing ministry where I’m on the road about every weekend, I miss the simple joys of serving in the local church on a regular basis, of building long lasting relationships with a group of believers around you, and of having time to build relationships with people who have never really known Jesus, and being able to invite them along the journey with you. I believe in the local church. I’m pumped to get to plug into a local church again in the future. But, even during services this past Sunday, Jesus reminded me of the joys of being on the road for Him, as well. J
I’m truly grateful for the experiences I’ve had with my fellow singers; we’ve grown so close over the past few years! I’ve loved the opportunities I’ve had to worship with different local churches and different denominations around the tri-state area, bringing encouragement into their lives and sharing the truth of the gospel through music. He also reminded me of the Body of Believers here at OCU that I serve with everyday. It’s awesome to see How God has been moving in different parts of the Body of Christ; His family. It has been encouraging to see that churches ARE getting it right! That people ARE living in the truth of Jesus Christ. I think there’s been a lot of degradation to the local church in our generation, but I firmly believe that Jesus is moving and changing lives today through congregations across America who are in love with Him and who have a desire to bring Glory to His name and share His truth in love with others.
Raised: $9,517
HALLELUJAH!!!
I’ve still got some more to raise, but I have no doubt it will all come in. God is THAT good. Well, He’s stinkin’ awesome, really. It has been the local church that has made it financially possible for me to follow God’s call to go on the World Race, and I am beyond grateful for that. By saying the local church, I’m saying family, friends and even people I’ve NEVER met before. I’m talking about different church groups that have come together to give towards sending me out. I’m talking about groups of poor college students who have given up a couple rounds of their favorite triple caffeine wired coffee at the local By-the-Cup café to help me follow God’s call. I’m talking about people who have lost their jobs in the economic crisis we’re facing. People have heard about what’s going on with the world race and given their hard-earned money to support me on this trip. People have felt the Spirit lead them to give, and they have followed His leading. Yes, I know it’s the Lord’s money, and yes I know and believe that these things are supposed to happen. But still, I’m blown way by the reality of it. I’ve been greatly encouraged by the function of the church body through this experience. As crazy as times are economically, it hasn’t hindered the work of the Lord. It’s amazing!!! It’s encouraged me to continue to give financially as the Lord leads, even though my practical mind wants to justify that I should be saving all my money toward the race. He’s asked me to trust Him to save and give as He guides me to… and it’s rockin my world.
What a joy it is to be a part of His work! What a joy it is that He would DESIRE for us to share in His Righteousness! I praise God for each of you who have given as the Lord has led you to! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
All that to say… I’m excited to get to be a part the functioning body of Christ through this particular journey on the World Race. I’m pumped to join in service with my teammates as we get to share the love of Jesus in different nations, and I’m even more excited to share what God is doing and teaching me along the way with my church family across America in hopes to encourage them to continue serving Jesus where He has called them to be. Christ’s love continues to joyfully compel people to fulfill the Great Commission, both on the home front and abroad!
“If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for YOU.
For Christ’s love compels us,
because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
